Research Article VARIABILITY AND GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM L.)

ABSTRACT: A collection of 280 sesame genotypes of different ecogeographical origin was evaluated using augumented block design along with four checks. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant variability among genotypes for all the characters studied. The highest heritability coupled with highest genetic advance was observed for capsules per plant indicating the predominance of additive gene effects. Whereas lower estimates of heritability and genetic advance was revealed for days to maturity and capsule length suggesting the presence of non-additive gene action for controlling these traits. Based on diversity the genotypes were grouped into 12 clusters and highest intercluster distance was observed between cluster VI & XII followed by cluster VI & IX, cluster II & VI and cluster III & IV. Among the traits studied capsule per plant and plant height contributed maximum for studying divergence while no contribution from capsule length. Hybridization involving genotypes of cluster VI with KMR 3 (cluster XII) may result in exploiting maximum heterosis to produce desirable transgressive segregants for crop improvement